There will be little doubt that the new Prom Night slasher flick will be a hit at the box office. Teens love these kind of movies, and Prom Night has received the generous gift of a ton of promotion on TV from the studio, so it shouldn't miss.
Prom Night is the story of Donna, (Brittany Snow.) She is a senior at Bridgeport High School who becomes the object of a male teachers obsession that turns deadly. Donna witnesses her mothers murder at the hand of her stalker. He is prosecuted and sent to jail 2,300 miles from her home. Fast forward three years, he escapes and makes his way back to Bridgeport to resume his stalking at Donna's prom night. By the way, Donna's prom is so glutenous you almost are hoping for things to go horribly wrong.
For a guy who is supposedly "obsessed" with Donna, our killer sure spends a lot of time killing unrelated people he doesn't even know. There really is no reason in the story to "off" all these fringe friends of Donnas, but he does anyway. Then in another stroke of directorial genius, he starts killing hotel employees where the prom is being held. Why? Who knows? Prom Night also gives birth to a whole new genre of really bad acting, and reintroduces us to the old and tired formula of really stupid decisions our "heroes" make. Plus, the whole time our stalker is doing his deal a the prom he is being chased by the most inept police force on the planet. Oh boy!
But in Prom Nights defense. This "slasher" flick doesn't REALLY have a whole lot of slashing. Very minimal blood and no real gore of which I was surprised. It's also a tidy 85 minutes which is a saving grace. Plus the language is tame and no gratuitous sex to speak of, which in these kinds of movies is a real stunner. There is almost always the "kill them while they're not wearing many clothes scenes" but not here.
If you're 14 or 15 years old you may find Prom Night not only topical but scary. If this is your first movie like this, you may get a jolt or two. But if you're a veteran of slasher flicks this will be a snoozer indeed. For my money loud noises and false alarm things jumping out every 10 minutes stopped scaring me shortly after t-ball.
Gotta be honest here. If you're looking for scary and bloody, Prom Night is going to let you down-hands down. Making truly scary movies is not easy. Prom Night's recipe has been tried to death hundreds of times before and now we all all gagging on it.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - The Ruins
There's big trouble at the ancient Mayan Ruins! The Ruins is the new horror flick produced by Ben Stiller, and it's in theaters now.
Six college students on a Mexican vacation decide to go explore a forgotten Mayan ruin. This is not the run-of-the-mill ruin, but a ruin no one knows about. Upon arrival they are swarmed by some killer, renegade locals who don't speak English or Spanish, and won't let them leave. Our hero's scale the ancient pyramid and wait for help. Trouble is, there are flesh eating vines that surround the pyramid and hot are on their tail. So the horror is on.
One by one, the students are picked off or picked over, and The Ruins turns into a mild gore fest. I will admit I was not bored by this fiasco, but was not compelled either. The idea was fair at it's inception, but I would have loved to have known who these forgotten locals were, and where these flesh eating vines came from, and what the whole deal was with this whole scene down there anyway! But they don't go there. They take the predictable path, cutting off limbs, blood everywhere, lots of screaming and crying, vines crawling down throats and the like... I'm actually okay with that. It just would be better if there was a story to go along with this are-we-going-to-get-eaten fest.
The Ruins does have some intense moments and there are a few compelling scenes, but The Ruins makes a big mistake and takes the easy way out - quick blood, and a lot of cussing. I think it's a rental in 90 days at best.
Six college students on a Mexican vacation decide to go explore a forgotten Mayan ruin. This is not the run-of-the-mill ruin, but a ruin no one knows about. Upon arrival they are swarmed by some killer, renegade locals who don't speak English or Spanish, and won't let them leave. Our hero's scale the ancient pyramid and wait for help. Trouble is, there are flesh eating vines that surround the pyramid and hot are on their tail. So the horror is on.
One by one, the students are picked off or picked over, and The Ruins turns into a mild gore fest. I will admit I was not bored by this fiasco, but was not compelled either. The idea was fair at it's inception, but I would have loved to have known who these forgotten locals were, and where these flesh eating vines came from, and what the whole deal was with this whole scene down there anyway! But they don't go there. They take the predictable path, cutting off limbs, blood everywhere, lots of screaming and crying, vines crawling down throats and the like... I'm actually okay with that. It just would be better if there was a story to go along with this are-we-going-to-get-eaten fest.
The Ruins does have some intense moments and there are a few compelling scenes, but The Ruins makes a big mistake and takes the easy way out - quick blood, and a lot of cussing. I think it's a rental in 90 days at best.
Turning Points
Everyone has a few turning points in their life. Some come early, some come later. One of mine came this week April 11, 1978 when my dad died and I was 16. Most years I take note of the date and move on. The date too is noted by close friends and family, and then the day resumes. This year is a little different.
I think it's hard for any of us to imagine that something of real significance happened to us three decades ago, but here I am. Over the years I have learned many valuable lessons as a result of his passing, but mostly I've learned that life really is a long journey. I know we're taught that "life is short" and all those cliche's and I guess there's some truth to that. But I guess I more subscribe more to the "there are no reruns" philosophy.
No question that when cancer took my dad at 53 that was too young. He led an interesting life. He was an All-Ohio High School athlete in football, basketball and track. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher out of high school, and went to Duke University on a football scholarship. World War II changed everything.
He left Duke, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a tail-gunner in a B-25 bomber in the South Pacific for 3 years. He was in occupied Japan for a year or so after the war was over. He returned to the states, went to Ohio University and then ran the terminals for Roadway for many years both in Columbus and here in Akron. He worked for John Hanckock Insurance the last few years of his life.
Most of that was before I was born. I knew Bob as my dad. He was active in our family and our community. He still loved sports, and taught me how to play every game the right way, and for the right reason. As an adult, he was a good bowler and a scratch golfer. He also coached little league baseball for many years, and taught kid after kid how to pitch the correct way. Including me. He also taught me how to play golf, and how respect any game you choose to play.
But he gave me more than that. He gave me gifts that have benefited me more than sports. He taught me right from wrong. (I mean the real right from wrong.) He made me understand that we don't always win, and that losing isn't the end of the world it's just the end of the game. That time together is the greatest gift of all. Give people the benefit of the doubt, and take care of great friendships, they're worth it every time. Man was he right about that! Sharing, teamwork, and honesty. He also reminded me that younger people are watching and learning from you always. And that there was always something bigger to be learned from a seemingly small event.
After he died I didn't really know what to do and it took a long while to figure it out. Still am I'm guessing. Truth is, 30 years has been so long, I can't even imagine what my life would be like with him in it. That isn't meant as harsh, it's just reality. There's no question my life would be different. How could it not?
But it was the first turning point in my life. At 16 it was the first different thing that happened that was forever, and I won't lie, it was tough to deal with. But I learned that life goes on - way on. And there will be other turning points to come, and to deal with. As a result of my first one, I think I have been better able to handle some others as a result, and be ready for the turning points that certainly will be in my future.
I have always privately maintained that two of the best things that have ever happend to me were my dad living, and him giving me the life tools to use after his passing. Thanks dad. I do my best and try to use them every day. Even 30 years later! I do miss you.
RFW July 20, 1924 - April 11, 1978.
I think it's hard for any of us to imagine that something of real significance happened to us three decades ago, but here I am. Over the years I have learned many valuable lessons as a result of his passing, but mostly I've learned that life really is a long journey. I know we're taught that "life is short" and all those cliche's and I guess there's some truth to that. But I guess I more subscribe more to the "there are no reruns" philosophy.
No question that when cancer took my dad at 53 that was too young. He led an interesting life. He was an All-Ohio High School athlete in football, basketball and track. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher out of high school, and went to Duke University on a football scholarship. World War II changed everything.
He left Duke, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was a tail-gunner in a B-25 bomber in the South Pacific for 3 years. He was in occupied Japan for a year or so after the war was over. He returned to the states, went to Ohio University and then ran the terminals for Roadway for many years both in Columbus and here in Akron. He worked for John Hanckock Insurance the last few years of his life.
Most of that was before I was born. I knew Bob as my dad. He was active in our family and our community. He still loved sports, and taught me how to play every game the right way, and for the right reason. As an adult, he was a good bowler and a scratch golfer. He also coached little league baseball for many years, and taught kid after kid how to pitch the correct way. Including me. He also taught me how to play golf, and how respect any game you choose to play.
But he gave me more than that. He gave me gifts that have benefited me more than sports. He taught me right from wrong. (I mean the real right from wrong.) He made me understand that we don't always win, and that losing isn't the end of the world it's just the end of the game. That time together is the greatest gift of all. Give people the benefit of the doubt, and take care of great friendships, they're worth it every time. Man was he right about that! Sharing, teamwork, and honesty. He also reminded me that younger people are watching and learning from you always. And that there was always something bigger to be learned from a seemingly small event.
After he died I didn't really know what to do and it took a long while to figure it out. Still am I'm guessing. Truth is, 30 years has been so long, I can't even imagine what my life would be like with him in it. That isn't meant as harsh, it's just reality. There's no question my life would be different. How could it not?
But it was the first turning point in my life. At 16 it was the first different thing that happened that was forever, and I won't lie, it was tough to deal with. But I learned that life goes on - way on. And there will be other turning points to come, and to deal with. As a result of my first one, I think I have been better able to handle some others as a result, and be ready for the turning points that certainly will be in my future.
I have always privately maintained that two of the best things that have ever happend to me were my dad living, and him giving me the life tools to use after his passing. Thanks dad. I do my best and try to use them every day. Even 30 years later! I do miss you.
RFW July 20, 1924 - April 11, 1978.
Friday, April 4, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Leatherheads
George Clooney generally makes good movies. He is Hollywood's biggest star and is in an enviable position to pursue projects that are interesting to him. Leatherheads is his latest movie.
Leatherheads is a fictional story about a non-fictional event, the advent of Pro Football. It's hard to imagine, but in 1925 Pro Football was seen as unsavory, and low-life. The college game was far more popular and legitimate. This is the story of the Duluth Bulldogs and Dodge Connolly (Clooney.) They successfully steal away one of college footballs biggest stars, Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to give the professional game a boost. All while being reported by a female reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) which was unheard of at the time. Side plots a plenty, and a budding love story ensue too as I'm sure you can imagine.
Leatherheads does a few things very well. It does carry you back to 1925, and does capture the era quite well. Leatherheads has a snappy soundtrack that's fun. Clooney who not only stars in the movie also directs it and he's always a good time. Should be noted too there are several references to Akron in the movie. There are moments of fun and wit, and it is not a bad night at the movies.
Hang on though, there is a down side. Leatherheads starts out strong but loses momentum as the 2 hour flick rolls on. Sadly, Zellweger is terribly cast, and her performance borders on the horrible. Her character is so crucial to the movies ultimate success, and she falls flat on her face. I'm still having a tough time understanding how the movie producers didn't see this. Leatherheads falls short of really being great, and she has a large hand in it. Leatherheads also looks a lot funnier in the trailers that it really is. But if you love Clooney, then Leatherheads is for you.
Leatherheads should have been much better. Clooney is a true Hollywood star and it's a shame that it's not better. The idea is good, the story really hasn't been told before and the movie looks great cinematically. But the good idea can't save it from being just OK. I just want to know what leatherhead cast Renee Zellweger.
Leatherheads is a fictional story about a non-fictional event, the advent of Pro Football. It's hard to imagine, but in 1925 Pro Football was seen as unsavory, and low-life. The college game was far more popular and legitimate. This is the story of the Duluth Bulldogs and Dodge Connolly (Clooney.) They successfully steal away one of college footballs biggest stars, Carter Rutherford (John Krasinski) to give the professional game a boost. All while being reported by a female reporter Lexie Littleton (Renee Zellweger) which was unheard of at the time. Side plots a plenty, and a budding love story ensue too as I'm sure you can imagine.
Leatherheads does a few things very well. It does carry you back to 1925, and does capture the era quite well. Leatherheads has a snappy soundtrack that's fun. Clooney who not only stars in the movie also directs it and he's always a good time. Should be noted too there are several references to Akron in the movie. There are moments of fun and wit, and it is not a bad night at the movies.
Hang on though, there is a down side. Leatherheads starts out strong but loses momentum as the 2 hour flick rolls on. Sadly, Zellweger is terribly cast, and her performance borders on the horrible. Her character is so crucial to the movies ultimate success, and she falls flat on her face. I'm still having a tough time understanding how the movie producers didn't see this. Leatherheads falls short of really being great, and she has a large hand in it. Leatherheads also looks a lot funnier in the trailers that it really is. But if you love Clooney, then Leatherheads is for you.
Leatherheads should have been much better. Clooney is a true Hollywood star and it's a shame that it's not better. The idea is good, the story really hasn't been told before and the movie looks great cinematically. But the good idea can't save it from being just OK. I just want to know what leatherhead cast Renee Zellweger.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Run Fat Boy Run
Run Fat Boy Run is the new flick in theaters directed by David Schwimmer, formerly Ross on Friends. First, it's a shame this movie is going to get lost at the box office.
RFR, is a fun little movie set in modern day London. Meet Dennis Doyle, (Simon Pegg) an nonathletic, sort of grown-up 45ish adult, who has never finished a single thing in his entire life. He leaves his pregnant girlfriend Libby (Thandie Newton) at the alter, then proceeds to start a life of a 18 year-old instead of a real adult. Libby has Dennis' son and is getting married to her new boyfriend Whit (Hank Azaria.) 5 years later. Dennis starts to re-evaluate his life and vows to get Libby and his son back by running in the London Marathon.
The movie starts out a little quirky and harmless enough, then becomes something much more. It takes a turn that no one sees coming, and it's a turn for the better. It's hard not to like this movie. Even if you're squirmy at the beginning, you'll be rewarded at it's conclusion. This movie could have been very average, but the story and storytelling gets stronger as the movie goes on. I was pleasantly surprised.
Run Fat Boy Run! It's not mainstream Hollywood, so it's commercial success is going to be very limited. But this movie is worth the price of a ticket or two and maybe a dinner before hand. Great date movie too. Run to see it quick. It may not be around for long.
RFR, is a fun little movie set in modern day London. Meet Dennis Doyle, (Simon Pegg) an nonathletic, sort of grown-up 45ish adult, who has never finished a single thing in his entire life. He leaves his pregnant girlfriend Libby (Thandie Newton) at the alter, then proceeds to start a life of a 18 year-old instead of a real adult. Libby has Dennis' son and is getting married to her new boyfriend Whit (Hank Azaria.) 5 years later. Dennis starts to re-evaluate his life and vows to get Libby and his son back by running in the London Marathon.
The movie starts out a little quirky and harmless enough, then becomes something much more. It takes a turn that no one sees coming, and it's a turn for the better. It's hard not to like this movie. Even if you're squirmy at the beginning, you'll be rewarded at it's conclusion. This movie could have been very average, but the story and storytelling gets stronger as the movie goes on. I was pleasantly surprised.
Run Fat Boy Run! It's not mainstream Hollywood, so it's commercial success is going to be very limited. But this movie is worth the price of a ticket or two and maybe a dinner before hand. Great date movie too. Run to see it quick. It may not be around for long.
Feels Good Feelin' Good!
For those of you who listen to Shannon and me every morning you know I love playing golf and do so on a regular basis when the weathers warm. I even make 2-3 pilgrimages a year to Florida or Vegas to get some golf in during the winter. You also probably know that all of this has come at a price. I, like you have a sore or stiff back on occasion. But not anymore!
During the last year I have given myself the gift of going to a chiropractor, Dr. CJ. He's got me fixed up, and I feel better than I've felt in many years. I go in about every 2-3 months, get tuned up and I'm good to go! Golf, yard work, getting out of chairs, it's all good. I had an appointment this morning and I was all geeked up to go. That got me thinking, who gets geeked up to go to the doctor? But when I go, I leave the office feeling really great!
You can't really say that about any other doctor by-and-large. You go to the dentist. He starts in with the sword or whatever that thing is, picking, grinding, jabbing....what the heck is with that? And keep in mind, what's the first thing a dentist always says,"You should never pick your teeth a sharp object." I'm down with that....why does HE do it? Then it's the goop on the spinning brush deal that tastes like, well you know. Then the x-raying inserts that make you feel like there's a Fedex box in your mouth. The whole visit is just lovely.
Can't say that about the regular Doctor either. You go in for a hangnail, and the next thing you know your clothes are off, and something cold and sterile is begin put somewhere on or in your body, (and the places vary) that is either uncomfortable or just flat out embarrassing! Always seems too that they end up doing something that seems to us regular folk that has nothing to do with your problem. And don't you know THAT is always the fun part. And the people in and out of the room?? Please!
Then there are the various specialists and yearly tests and procedures, you know the ones I'm talking about. And I can't think of a ONE that I'm really fired up to go to. But Dr. CJ? I go in feeling good, and come out feeling even better. Funny, when your spine doesn't look like Mr. Salty, and mine did for along time I'm guessing, things are just better!
All joking aside, this is on my mind a lot this week. A great friend of almost 30 years is having back surgery next week, and things are going to be fine but he still has to deal with it. I don't envy him. He is part of the official Dew-Sweeper Tour. Four of us life-long friends that are lucky enough to be the first to tee off every Sunday morning in the summer at various courses in Northeast Ohio.
Good luck Joe Red! Get better and no, you don't get any strokes!
During the last year I have given myself the gift of going to a chiropractor, Dr. CJ. He's got me fixed up, and I feel better than I've felt in many years. I go in about every 2-3 months, get tuned up and I'm good to go! Golf, yard work, getting out of chairs, it's all good. I had an appointment this morning and I was all geeked up to go. That got me thinking, who gets geeked up to go to the doctor? But when I go, I leave the office feeling really great!
You can't really say that about any other doctor by-and-large. You go to the dentist. He starts in with the sword or whatever that thing is, picking, grinding, jabbing....what the heck is with that? And keep in mind, what's the first thing a dentist always says,"You should never pick your teeth a sharp object." I'm down with that....why does HE do it? Then it's the goop on the spinning brush deal that tastes like, well you know. Then the x-raying inserts that make you feel like there's a Fedex box in your mouth. The whole visit is just lovely.
Can't say that about the regular Doctor either. You go in for a hangnail, and the next thing you know your clothes are off, and something cold and sterile is begin put somewhere on or in your body, (and the places vary) that is either uncomfortable or just flat out embarrassing! Always seems too that they end up doing something that seems to us regular folk that has nothing to do with your problem. And don't you know THAT is always the fun part. And the people in and out of the room?? Please!
Then there are the various specialists and yearly tests and procedures, you know the ones I'm talking about. And I can't think of a ONE that I'm really fired up to go to. But Dr. CJ? I go in feeling good, and come out feeling even better. Funny, when your spine doesn't look like Mr. Salty, and mine did for along time I'm guessing, things are just better!
All joking aside, this is on my mind a lot this week. A great friend of almost 30 years is having back surgery next week, and things are going to be fine but he still has to deal with it. I don't envy him. He is part of the official Dew-Sweeper Tour. Four of us life-long friends that are lucky enough to be the first to tee off every Sunday morning in the summer at various courses in Northeast Ohio.
Good luck Joe Red! Get better and no, you don't get any strokes!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
MOVIE REVIEW - Superhero Movie
Oh boy, here we go again! Another movie lampooning other movies. Now pencil in Superhero Movie to that list.
We are in the a decade of big blockbuster superhero movies like Spiderman, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and there plenty others, so it was natural that this was in the offing. Filmmakers have been making fun of other movies for years. It goes back 28 years to Airplane!, and comes right up to the latest Superhero Movie.
I would like to tell you about the plot, but there really is none. But here it's okay. These movies seldom screen for critics, and for good reason. The are short, corny, and sophomoric. But I think the movie goer today is on to them. They know that going in, and there's nothing wrong with a silly afternoon at the flicks once in a while.
I have to admit, after Superhero Movie did fairly well at the box office last weekend, I was intrigued enough to use a free movie ticket and a free popcorn voucher and take it in. I wasn't feeling very serious and thought a good laugh might be fun. Well the price was right and the corn was tasty, still waiting on the laughs though.
Superhero Movie is rated PG-13, and deserves very bit of it. One thing too, these lampooney movies are pressing the edge of what is real bad taste, and they are a little more offensive to some than in years past. It will not offend the young target that this movie is made for. Superhero Movie, mindless, sophomoric..but to be expected.
We are in the a decade of big blockbuster superhero movies like Spiderman, Fantastic Four, X-Men, and there plenty others, so it was natural that this was in the offing. Filmmakers have been making fun of other movies for years. It goes back 28 years to Airplane!, and comes right up to the latest Superhero Movie.
I would like to tell you about the plot, but there really is none. But here it's okay. These movies seldom screen for critics, and for good reason. The are short, corny, and sophomoric. But I think the movie goer today is on to them. They know that going in, and there's nothing wrong with a silly afternoon at the flicks once in a while.
I have to admit, after Superhero Movie did fairly well at the box office last weekend, I was intrigued enough to use a free movie ticket and a free popcorn voucher and take it in. I wasn't feeling very serious and thought a good laugh might be fun. Well the price was right and the corn was tasty, still waiting on the laughs though.
Superhero Movie is rated PG-13, and deserves very bit of it. One thing too, these lampooney movies are pressing the edge of what is real bad taste, and they are a little more offensive to some than in years past. It will not offend the young target that this movie is made for. Superhero Movie, mindless, sophomoric..but to be expected.
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